Monday, May 28, 2012

MALE ON MONDAY: Heroes with History

The Pink Heart Society is happy to welcome Harlequin author Jessica Matthews, who will discuss Heroes with History.

As I focused on today’s topic of Male on Monday, I thought about the heroes in the stories,
television shows, and movies that I’ve enjoyed the most. I analyzed why I like G. Callen, Leroy Jethro
Gibbs, and John Reese, and realized that these characters have one thing in
common – they have history. Some might call it ‘baggage’. Others might call them ‘tortured’ or say they
have ‘issues’. Regardless of how you
describe what makes them tick, the things that happened in their earlier lives
shaped them into the cool, collected, seemingly aloof characters they are
today. Let’s take a closer look.

G. Callen (NCIS-Los Angeles) is a man who had no past, which
drove him to search for answers to his questions. His time in foster care made it difficult for
him to allow people to get close to him, but when they do, he is fiercely loyal
to them.

Gibbs (NCIS) lost his wife and daughter in a tragic accident
and it turned him into a loner, but while he struggles with close personal
relationships, he, too, is a loyal, protective individual.

Then comes John Reese (Person of Interest). He’d had an intense job as a CIA field
officer before something happened and he joined the ranks of the homeless. The best way to describe him is brooding with
a capital B. He’s a loner with secrets and he keeps people
at arm’s length but once in a while, he allows someone to get close enough for
him to show his caring side. You’re left
feeling hopeful that someday, someone special will him exorcise his demons.

It should come as no surprise then, that my hero, Lincoln
Maguire in Unlocking the Surgeon’s Heart,
had the same basic character of keeping to himself. His history (parents killed in a car
accident, leaving him to look after his younger siblings and a grandmother) shaped
him into a man who focused on his work as a surgeon rather than his personal
relationships. Naturally, being the
serious, business-like professional and play-it-safe fellow that he is, he
needs a partner who’s his opposite - someone who embraces all that life has to
offer. Enter our heroine, Christy
Michaels, who is working on her bucket list because life, she’s learned,
doesn’t come with guarantees. I hope you
enjoy their story.

Jessica has written
over thirty books for Harlequin and is hard at work on a new one! Unlocking
the Surgeon’s Heart is available now in the UK and will be released in June
in the USA. She loves to hear from her
readers, so contact her via her website (www.jessicamatthews.com) or Facebook (Jessica Matthews Author
Page).